Sports and Tattoos… Bodybuilders, swimmers, sports enthusiasts… They all have two inevitable questions in tattoo studios: The first one is, “If I increase my muscle mass, will my tattoo deform?” My friendly response is usually something along the lines of, “If you don’t plan on becoming Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, you shouldn’t worry.” Answering the second question is more challenging: Recommending someone who just got a tattoo to take two or three weeks off when sports are their lifestyle is, in most cases, an impractical recommendation. Tattoos are addictive, and so is sports… When can I go to the gym?
One of the conditions during the healing phase, apart from maintaining hygiene, is to avoid exposing the tattoo to situations that will prolong the healing process, damage the outcome, and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to infection. Engaging in intense sports and exercise immediately after getting a tattoo has a high probability of ending up back at the studio asking for a touch-up. I’m going to be honest with you, I know it. I can see it on your faces, in your reactions when I answer the million-dollar question: You’re not going to listen to me. You’ll leave with a smile, thinking, “I already have other tattoos, and nothing has ever happened!” The truth is, you’re gambling with a future tattoo that needs fixing, not included in the price, and you’ll have all the odds of winning it. Let me tell you why…
In this article, we’re talking about moderate to high-intensity physical activity: Crossfit, swimming, running, cycling, bodybuilding, aerobic activities, yoga, workouts… Taking a leisurely stroll along the beach and playing ping-pong won’t be a problem.
Engaging in sports is not a good idea for a freshly made tattoo. If the healing phase lasts two to three weeks, we can see that besides jeopardizing the tattoo, it will also delay your return to sports. On one hand, we have the elasticity and behavior of the skin during any type of exercise: stretching and compression of the tissues. The skin in the healing process contracts, loses flexibility (hence the itching sensation and the need for hydration), and subjecting it to that activity will slow down its recovery and may even cause the skin to stretch or crack, ruining the outcome and opening the door to possible infections.
On the other hand, we have sweat. Sweating itself is not a danger; it’s the way our skin breathes and eliminates toxins. But do we want to bathe a newly made or healing wound in sweat? Sweat softens the tissues in the healing process, and they need to remain dry and hydrated. The sweat, along with the dust and dirt in the environment where you exercise, will not positively contribute to that. Not to mention the potential bumps and friction your tattoo may accidentally encounter.
Lastly, sports accelerate the functioning of the lymphatic system. Lymph will be one of the elements responsible for eliminating tattoo pigment. And we don’t need to disrupt the process!
Getting a tattoo is generally a special occasion; we don’t get tattoos frequently. We invest enthusiasm, time, and money into a tattoo and involve a professional who puts in their best effort to do a good job. If we are patient and want a good tattoo, it is responsible to follow the tattoo artist’s recommendations to avoid having to pay for their services again. We know that the issue of sports, in particular, is often not respected. What I recommend to my clients is to resume sports activities after 20 days from getting the tattoo, and only if the healing process is advanced. That’s why I ask them to send me photos of the tattoo’s condition to provide appropriate follow-up.
A final clarification… Don’t try to protect tattoos with petroleum jelly when doing sports; it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe. In this article, we’re talking about moderate to high-intensity physical activity. Does sex count? I’ll leave that up to your discretion. (I’ve been asked this question before!)
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